‘Color Line’ in NBA

Sports is coming back! One of DSKUSSS members introduces how African-American basketball players came to NBA league. If you have any thoughts and opinions, please let us know through comments :)

‘Color Line’ in NBA

 

Ryu Hye-ran

Kyung-pook National University

Dept. of English Education

There must be no one who is not surprised by the videos showing splendid techniques of NBA players at the end of the sports news, even for those who are not interested in basketball games. NBA, National Basketball Association, is the most popular league as a single one in the world. There are lots of super stars in NBA regardless of race and it is still loved by millions of people all around the world. However, in the progress of NBA’s growing, there were moments when it was unnatural to see African-Americans play on the basketball court. 

             NBA was named BAA(Basketball Association of America) in the beginning, which was a really poor league. Also, it was not the case that BAA was the sole league, but NBL(National Basketball League) existed in advance. NBL at that time included teams that became reputable in NBA later such as Rochester Royals and Minneapolis Lakers. Though NBL was much poorer at the performance than BAA in the beginning, BAA retained bigger market, meaning big cities and the owners of the BAA club had gymnasiums. Also BAA brought Minneapolis Lakers which guaranteed the biggest success because of the splendid performance.

             In those days, NBA was still under the difficulties financially though they wanted to give chances to African-Americans. Also, Harlem Globetrotters, which is the team to perform basketball acrobatic tricks, played an important role in the success of NBA as double-header. Thus, it was not easy to turn their backs on the owner of Globetrotters by choosing African-American players. However, as the number of teams in BAA increases, the gap between skills of Minneapolis Lakers and others expanded. Especially New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, which are popular teams in NBA now, remained in the lower ranks. They finally started to look for new players and hired African-American players, Nathaniel Clifton and Chuck Cooper respectively. That was 1950 when the ‘color line’ in NBA started to break down.

             However, still there were limits in race of basketball court at the moments despite the high performance of African-Americans. It was normal for them to play only the task that some people regard as unpleasant like defending and go through limits on participation. Also, discrimination continued outside the court as well. Chuck Cooper, the first African-American player nominated in the draft, was rejected to stay at the hotel when he had an away match in North Carolina.

             Of course, in these days, the racial problem still goes on. Even the news that the owner of LA Clippers made a racist comment is not far from today. However, it is clear that the ‘color line’ on the basketball court could not ignore competent African-American players in the end. Now it is familiar to see them play on the court thanks to their efforts. Though there were moments when even they were rejected as black people, now the racist comment by one person throws the whole USA into turmoil. If there had not been African-Americans’ efforts to overcome discrimination related to race by proving their competence, Michael Jordan might have been the name nobody remembers.

White Collar

Do you like American TV Drama shows? If you like them, you are on the right track! One of DSKUSSS members recommends a fantastic drama show! This writing about why you need to watch 'White Collar.' If you have any idaes on this, please let us know through comments.

White Collar

Han, Hee-ju

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Dept. of International Development Studies

          Neal Caffrey, a con artist, forger and thief, is captured after a three-year game of cat and mouse with the FBI. With only months left serving a four-year sentence, he escapes to look for his girlfriend. Peter Burke, a FBI agent, finds and returns him to prison. Neal proposes a deal with the FBI, as part of a work-release program. Peter agrees, and thus begins this unconventional arrangement where Neal helps Burke apprehend White Collar criminals.



 

I think the most impressive part of White Collar is the relationships of people.
 

             Peter and Neal are in the relation of top and bottom, but they share a joke easily. I have never seen Neal trying to flatter Peter and they look like equal positions outside of the work. I could see low power distance of America through this drama. They met as a FBI agent and a criminal in the beginning and then they have been through a lot of conflicts, however, while working together, they build trust and friendship. As more episodes proceed, they become more than just business partner. Neal and Peter show off fantastic teamwork and they solve almost all cases.

            Another interesting relationship is Peter and his wife, Elizabeth Burke. Although FBI cannot tell anybody about work, Peter shares concern related to his work with Elizabeth. Elizabeth listens to him seriously and sometimes provides crucial tips. Although they do not have a kid, it seems not to matter to them. They support each other and kiss often, which is hard to see from Korean mid-aged marriage couple. It looks so lovely and perfect.

        I also like an unpredictable story line of White Collar. Sometimes I let out my exclamation of surprise when I met completely unexpected ending. But I would not tell in detail about the episode to avoid being a spoiler. Why don't you jump into the addictive story right now?

Ancient People Today; How They Live Throughout History

Hello, the fans of DSKUSSS! We want to share with you about the cultural factors in American continent, which includes North and South. Enjoy this reading, and lets think which reaction you are taking to understand other cultures, especially the minor's.

 

Ancient People Today; How They Live Throughout History

 

Pusan National University
Department of Global Studies
Hyunji Yoo

 

There was a great moment of human civilization during the ancient period, but; all of a sudden, the long ancient history disappeared. Rooted from the American continent throughout the Mayan, Incan and Aztec empires, each of these empires enjoyed their glorious periods. Unfortunately, we can only find the documents or traces of those histories through museums without knowing the whole truth about them. Not only this, but people also do not tend to think that these indigenous people are still alive in the areas of Latin America and North America today. However, their cultures have not disappeared, and actually still exist. Not only do they live in this century, but they are also arguing about their human rights within the countries they live in and continue to protest for their destroyed cultures of the past conquests.

Most indigenous people are marginalized in their communities without the governmental recognition for them. They are discriminated just because of their indigenous origins which lead to their own acknowledgement to protect their rights. For example, in Guatemala, the Mayan human rights activists Rigoberta Menchu, first started the movements against the Guatemalan government. Her involvement also led to the movements of groups of people who gathered to make a voice for the indigenous people, such as the right to vote. Going further to just criticize the current governments, they are trying to enhance their own rights against the many discriminations they face and the destruction of their cultures.

People today tend to remember the past as the past, not knowing the situation under the status quo. Even the existence of the Mayan people may sound unrealistic to some because the only way to find the traces for us is to look at the history textbooks and the museums due to the pressure of the government to avoid the existence of the indigenous people. However, the long history of struggling for the human dignity is not far from the place we live. Having the world to know the number of indigenous people, still living like slaves to the white people, will be a steppingstone to participate in this human rights movement to enhance the indigenous people’s quality of life.